S16 Blog

We all want thick, luscious, shiny locks. While you may not give as much thought to your scalp health, the two are very much interconnected. A healthy scalp is key to healthy hair!  

The healthier your scalp, the less vulnerable you will be to hair breakage and loss. Your scalp includes about 100,000 hair follicles, each of which contains a single hair. It also has its own microbiome. Unbalanced microbes can cause or exacerbate scalp problems. Your scalp is also where your hair shaft begins. Diligent scalp care will ensure your hair is stronger from its foundation. 

Read on to learn more about some common scalp problems, their causes, and how to prevent or treat them.  Give your scalp some love! Banish bad hair days, and realize the strong, shiny tresses of your dreams.

Dry scalp 

If your scalp is flaky or itchy, it may be too dry. Weather, age, hormones, nutrition, and even certain types of shampoo can cause dry scalp. For example, hormone changes during menopause cause many women to lose moisture in their hair and skin. Certain shampoos, such as those with sulfates, may strip natural oils from your hair. Cold, dry air also dehydrates your hair. Lastly, excessive stress can weaken your natural defenses, damage your body’s microbiomes, and compromise scalp health. 

What you can do 

To keep your scalp properly moisturized, avoid harsh shampoos or hair products, such as bleach, or those with alcohol or fragrance. Wash your hair gently, less often, and drink more water. To minimize dry air exposure, use a humidifier in your bedroom or elsewhere in your home.  Seek constructive ways to manage your stress, such as exercise or meditation. If you suspect your dry scalp is caused by a nutrient deficiency, pile on the fruits, veggies, and whole grains! 

Dandruff

Like dry scalp, dandruff can cause your scalp to flake. However, while a dry scalp is from a lack of moisture, dandruff is the result of excess oil on your scalp and the overgrowth of a yeast-like fungus that feeds on scalp oil.

What you can do

You can’t cure dandruff, but you can manage its symptoms. You may benefit from specialized shampoo. Include foods with healthy fats in your diet such as salmon, peanut butter, flaxseeds, olive oil, and avocado. 

Some home treatments that have been shown to control dandruff include:  

• Using coconut oil in place of shampoo and conditioner.
• Rubbing aloe vera onto your scalp.
• Mixing one-quarter cup of apple cider vinegar with a quarter cup of water and applying it to your scalp and rinsing well.
• Mixing two crushed aspirin with your shampoo, allowing it to sit for a couple of minutes, and then rinsing.
• Rubbing a few drops of olive oil onto your scalp, leave it on your hair for about 25 minutes, and then rinsing.

Scalp buildup 

Scalp buildup occurs when hair products, oil, sweat, and dead skin cells accumulate with sebum. Sebum is an oil produced by the glands in your hair follicles. Symptoms include oily or crusty skin or a flaky, red, itchy, or oily scalp. 

What you can do

Use a massaging scalp brush to gently exfoliate the area and remove old skin cells. Wash your hair at the end of the day, especially after you’ve been sweaty. To slough off buildup, look for hair care products with ingredients such as tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, and menthol. 

Redness 

Scalp redness can be caused by several skin issues including sunburn; psoriasis, an immune-based disease; seborrheic dermatitis; or folliculitis, an inflammation of the hair follicles. 

What you can do

The treatment for red scalp depends on the root cause. For example, if you have psoriasis, you may need topical steroids or other prescription medication from your doctor. If it’s from sunburn, wash your hair in cool water using gentle hair care products. Stay hydrated and apply cold compresses to ease the discomfort. 

Proper care leads to beautiful hair

A woman’s hair is one of the most important parts of her appearance. Not everyone is blessed with an effortless head a luscious locks, but with the proper care, you can have the look and style of your dreams. Who knew that something we often overlook could play such a crucial role in our overall health and beauty? From preventing hair loss to promoting healthy growth, our scalps deserve some love and attention, too. So, whether you're a scalp care newbie or a seasoned pro, remember to treat your scalp to some pampering now and then. 

Have a concern you need addressed? Ask us.

If you are already a guest at Studio 16, reach out ahead of your next appointment and let us know you would also like to discuss any concerns about your scalp health and condition or get a product recommendation from our experts. And for more serious issues do feel free to reach out and set up an appointment for a free consultation which we can do privately to address your challenges.